Fourth grade students at Rogers Elementary explored sustainability, the impact humans have on the environment, and what they can do to help. This information was shared during the “Processes that Shape the Earth” science unit and the “Natural Resources of the Earth” social studies unit.
The science curriculum teaches students to use the engineering process of design-test-and redesign, while working in teams to solve a problem. The “problem” for this unit was to inform the public about sustainability and its impact on the environment. The new inquiry-based social studies curriculum had students discover what sustainability is and then figure out ways to teach others.
After completion of the unit, Rogers 4th grade teachers organized a school wide sustainability initiative that was led by the students. The 4th graders could choose from six different activities such as researching what makes Rogers a Green School, labeling recycling bins, making posters about sustainable practices at school, writing letters to Berkley School District administrators about District sustainability efforts and more. Rogers 4th grade teacher Carolyn Smarjesse shared, “Students have been very focused and engaged in this whole project, from choosing the topics to brainstorming and working with small groups to the final execution of finished products.”
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